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sense_n catholic_n church_n member_n 1,642 5 8.9783 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A59819 A discourse concerning the nature, unity, and communion of the Catholick Church wherein most of the controversies relating to the church are briefly and plainly stated / by William Sherlock. Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707. 1688 (1688) Wing S3291; ESTC R25626 35,974 70

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learned_a man_n especial_o by_o the_o learned_a dr._n isaac_n barrow_n in_o his_o treatise_n of_o the_o pope_n supremacy_n which_o be_v a_o sufficient_a confutation_n of_o such_o a_o claim_n yet_o it_o will_v be_v of_o great_a use_n to_o show_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o the_o essential_a unity_n of_o it_o that_o it_o can_v be_v so_o and_o there_o be_v several_a consideration_n which_o will_v make_v this_o very_a evident_a 1._o that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o head_n for_o the_o whole_a catholic_n church_n on_o earth_n to_o be_v unite_v to_o but_o only_o christ_n for_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v the_o whole_a company_n of_o christian_n and_o to_o who_o can_v the_o whole_a company_n of_o christian_n be_v unite_v but_o only_o to_o christ_n for_o the_o whole_a clergy_n as_o well_o as_o laiety_n be_v include_v in_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o the_o whole_a company_n of_o christian_n and_o therefore_o unless_o you_o can_v find_v 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speak_v with_o respect_n to_o the_o lord_n supper_n for_o we_o be_v many_o be_v one_o bread_n and_o one_o body_n for_o we_o be_v all_o partaker_n of_o that_o one_o bread_n we_o all_o partake_v of_o the_o same_o body_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v therefore_o call_v the_o communion_n of_o his_o body_n and_o blood_n and_o therefore_o we_o all_o be_v but_o one_o body_n so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o vain_a thing_n to_o inquire_v after_o any_o other_o principle_n of_o unity_n for_o the_o whole_a church_n but_o the_o union_n of_o all_o christian_n to_o christ_n who_o be_v one_o body_n by_o their_o union_n to_o one_o head._n but_o it_o may_v be_v
it_o as_o evident_a that_o there_o never_o can_v be_v more_o than_o one_o church_n in_o the_o world_n for_o those_o nominal_a church_n which_o have_v not_o the_o same_o lord_n the_o same_o faith_n the_o same_o baptism_n be_v no_o church_n and_o all_o that_o have_v be_v but_o one_o which_o make_v it_o a_o ridiculous_a triumph_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o if_o we_o protestant_n do_v not_o believe_v one_o catholic_n church_n or_o can_v not_o tell_v where_o to_o find_v it_o when_o we_o profess_v to_o believe_v but_o one_o church_n and_o that_o all_o true_a church_n be_v member_n of_o this_o one_o church_n for_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o this_o account_n that_o though_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n be_v unite_v in_o one_o ecclesiastical_a body_n yet_o this_o external_a visible_a union_n be_v not_o the_o thing_n which_o make_v they_o the_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n they_o be_v one_o body_n by_o be_v all_o unite_a to_o one_o mystical_a head_n the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n not_o by_o a_o external_a and_o visible_a union_n to_o each_o other_o this_o external_a union_n be_v a_o duty_n which_o all_o christian_n and_o christian_a church_n be_v bind_v to_o observe_v as_o far_o as_o possible_o they_o can_v but_o all_o true_a christian_n and_o christian_a church_n be_v the_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n whether_o they_o be_v thus_o visible_o unite_v or_o not_o but_o for_o the_o better_a understanding_n this_o matter_n we_o must_v consider_v i._o the_o true_a notion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n on_o earth_n ii_o what_o the_o nature_n and_o unity_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v and_o how_o every_o particular_a church_n be_v a_o part_n of_o that_o universal_a catholic_n church_n which_o be_v the_o body_n of_o christ._n iii_o what_o that_o unity_n and_o communion_n be_v which_o all_o distinct_a particular_a church_n ought_v to_o maintain_v with_o each_o other_o and_o whence_o this_o obligation_n result_v i._o the_o true_a notion_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n on_o earth_n now_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o what_o i_o have_v already_o discourse_v that_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o a_o church_n be_v the_o caetus_fw-la fidelium_fw-la or_o the_o company_n of_o the_o faithful_a of_o those_o who_o profess_v the_o true_a faith_n of_o christ_n and_o be_v unite_v to_o he_o by_o baptism_n there_o can_v be_v no_o other_o notion_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n but_o the_o whole_a company_n and_o family_n of_o the_o faithful_a who_o be_v unite_v to_o christ_n by_o covenant_n and_o be_v his_o mystical_a body_n in_o the_o sense_n above_o explain_v and_o if_o the_o universal_a church_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n be_v the_o whole_a company_n of_o the_o faithful_a the_o catholic_n church_n on_o earth_n must_v be_v the_o whole_a number_n of_o the_o faithful_a on_o earth_n for_o we_o must_v still_o retain_v the_o same_o notion_n of_o a_o church_n where_o the_o whole_a consist_v of_o universal_a part_n for_o there_o every_o part_n have_v the_o same_o nature_n with_o the_o whole_a i_o know_v indeed_o of_o late_a the_o clergy_n have_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n monopolise_v the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n whereas_o in_o propriety_n of_o speech_n they_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o the_o definition_n of_o a_o church_n they_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n as_o they_o be_v themselves_o of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o faithful_a and_o they_o be_v the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n as_o they_o have_v receive_v authority_n from_o christ_n the_o supreme_a lord_n and_o bishop_n of_o the_o church_n but_o they_o be_v no_o more_o the_o church_n than_o the_o king_n be_v his_o kingdom_n or_o the_o shepherd_n his_o flock_n and_o therefore_o st._n paul_n express_o distinguish_v the_o church_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o minister_n of_o it_o 1_o cor._n 12._o 28._o god_n have_v set_v some_o in_o the_o church_n first_o apostle_n secondary_o prophet_n three_o teacher_n after_o that_o miracle_n than_o gift_n of_o healing_n help_n government_n diversity_n of_o tongue_n these_o be_v place_v in_o the_o church_n for_o the_o instruction_n edification_n and_o good_a government_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o be_v of_o a_o distinct_a consideration_n from_o the_o church_n in_o which_o they_o be_v place_v thus_o 4_o eph._n 11_o 12._o he_o give_v some_o apostle_n and_o some_o prophet_n and_o some_o evangelist_n and_o some_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n for_o the_o perfect_a of_o the_o saint_n for_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n for_o the_o edify_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n that_o be_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v therefore_o distinguish_v from_o the_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n of_o it_o thus_o in_o direct_v his_o epistle_n to_o several_a church_n he_o give_v we_o the_o definition_n of_o a_o church_n 1_o cor._n 1._o 2._o unto_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v at_o corinth_n to_o they_o that_o be_v sanctify_v in_o christ_n jesus_n call_v to_o be_v saint_n with_o all_o that_o in_o every_o place_n call_v upon_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n our_o lord_n both_o they_o and_o we_o that_o be_v the_o whole_a company_n of_o the_o faithful_a 1_o ephes._n 1_o paul_n a_o apostle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n by_o the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o the_o saint_n which_o be_v at_o ephesus_n and_o to_o the_o faithful_a in_o christ_n jesus_n which_o be_v the_o true_a definition_n of_o a_o church_n 1_o col._n 2._o to_o the_o saint_n and_o faithful_a brethren_n in_o christ_n which_o be_v at_o coloss._n and_o 1_o phil._n 1._o he_o express_o distinguish_v the_o saint_n or_o church_n as_o that_o signify_v the_o company_n of_o the_o faithful_a from_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n to_o all_o the_o saint_n in_o christ_n jesus_n which_o be_v at_o philippi_n with_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n the_o learned_a launoy_n have_v produce_v various_a text_n of_o scripture_n for_o this_o definition_n of_o the_o church_n 8._o that_o it_o be_v the_o company_n of_o the_o faithful_a and_o have_v prove_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o father_n in_o all_o age_n even_o down_o to_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n itself_o that_o this_o be_v the_o receive_a notion_n of_o the_o church_n till_o it_o be_v alter_v by_o canisius_n and_o bellarmine_n canisius_n put_v christ_n vicar_n into_o the_o definition_n that_o the_o church_n be_v the_o visible_a collection_n of_o all_o baptize_v believer_n under_o one_o head_n christ_n in_o heaven_n and_o his_o vicar_n on_o earth_n which_o make_v the_o church_n a_o monarchy_n bellarmine_n define_v the_o church_n to_o be_v a_o company_n of_o man_n unite_v together_o by_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o same_o christian_a faith_n and_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o same_o sacrament_n under_o the_o government_n of_o lawful_a pastor_n but_o chief_o of_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n as_o the_o one_o vicar_n of_o christ_n on_o erath_n which_o make_v the_o church_n a_o kind_n of_o mix_a and_o temper_a monarchy_n the_o government_n of_o bishop_n and_o the_o pope_n as_o supreme_a vicar_n whereas_o before_o these_o man_n neither_o pastor_n nor_o bishop_n much_o less_o the_o pope_n of_o rome_n be_v ever_o put_v into_o the_o general_a definition_n of_o a_o church_n for_o as_o for_o st._n cyprian_n definition_n i_o shall_v account_v for_o it_o hereafter_o and_o indeed_o it_o stand_v to_o reason_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o for_o pastor_n and_o bishop_n be_v set_v over_o the_o church_n be_v overseer_n of_o the_o flock_n to_o instruct_v and_o govern_v it_o and_o therefore_o must_v be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o church_n which_o they_o govern_v the_o church_n be_v the_o mystical_a body_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v in_o subjection_n to_o christ_n the_o head_n but_o the_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n consider_v as_o such_o represent_v the_o head_n and_o not_o the_o body_n for_o they_o receive_v their_o power_n and_o authority_n from_o christ_n and_o act_n in_o his_o place_n and_o stead_n as_o he_o tell_v they_o after_o his_o resurrection_n as_o my_o father_n have_v send_v i_o so_o send_v i_o you_o 20_o john_n 21._o and_o he_o that_o receive_v you_o receive_v i_o and_o he_o that_o receive_v i_o receive_v he_o that_o send_v i_o 10_o matth._n 40._o and_o 13._o john_n 20._o and_o therefore_o as_o christ_n the_o head_n be_v distinguish_v from_o his_o body_n so_o be_v those_o also_o who_o act_n under_o the_o head_n and_o represent_v and_o exercise_v his_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n as_o private_a believer_n they_o be_v the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n as_o church-governor_n they_o be_v the_o vicar_n of_o christ._n now_o from_o hence_o i_o shall_v observe_v some_o few_o thing_n the_o use_n of_o which_o we_o shall_v afterward_o better_o understand_v as_o 1._o that_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n be_v not_o the_o church_n but_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o the_o promise_v
church_n in_o heaven_n into_o one_o body_n unless_o this_o visible_a head_n on_o earth_n be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o invisible_a church_n in_o heaven_n too_o for_o if_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n consist_v in_o be_v unite_v under_o one_o head_n that_o head_n must_v be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n or_o else_o the_o church_n be_v not_o unite_v in_o the_o head_n if_o the_o head_n which_o be_v the_o principle_n of_o union_n be_v not_o the_o head_n of_o the_o whole_a now_o i_o suppose_v no_o papist_n will_v say_v that_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o invisible_a as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o then_o the_o church_n be_v not_o one_o by_o be_v unite_v under_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n though_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n which_o will_v make_v one_o suspect_v that_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v believe_v the_o pope_n to_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o invisible_a as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o visible_a church_n for_o if_o his_o authority_n be_v confine_v to_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n one_o will_v wonder_v whence_o he_o shall_v pretend_v to_o canozie_n saint_n in_o heaven_n or_o to_o release_v soul_n out_o of_o purgatory_n unless_o his_o be_v christ_n vicar_n on_o earth_n make_v he_o his_o vicar_n in_o heaven_n and_o in_o purgatory_n also_o but_o this_o by_o the_o way_n if_o they_o say_v that_o when_o they_o speak_v of_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n they_o mean_v only_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n and_o that_o the_o pope_n be_v the_o visible_a head_n of_o this_o unity_n i_o answer_v 1._o that_o they_o must_v grant_v then_o that_o they_o speak_v very_o improper_o for_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n be_v not_o that_o one_o church_n which_o be_v the_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o the_o headship_n of_o the_o pope_n but_o they_o ought_v only_o to_o say_v that_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n consist_v in_o its_o union_n to_o the_o pope_n 2._o and_o therefore_o they_o must_v quit_v all_o their_o argument_n for_o the_o pope_n headship_n take_v from_o the_o church_n be_v one_o the_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n be_v not_o this_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o because_o christ_n have_v but_o one_o body_n therefore_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n must_v have_v one_o visible_a head._n 3._o nay_o they_o must_v confess_v that_o the_o formal_a and_o essential_a unity_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o its_o union_n to_o the_o pope_n for_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n be_v one_o with_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n they_o be_v both_o but_o one_o church_n and_o therefore_o must_v have_v the_o same_o essential_a unity_n for_o how_o they_o shall_v be_v one_o by_o two_o sort_n of_o unity_n that_o be_v be_v one_o without_o the_o same_o formal_a unity_n be_v very_o mysterious_a and_o near_o a_o kin_n to_o a_o contradiction_n and_o therefore_o since_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o its_o union_n to_o the_o pope_n no_o more_o do_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n the_o unity_n be_v the_o same_o in_o both_o and_o thus_o all_o their_o argument_n from_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n to_o prove_v a_o universal_a visible_a head_n of_o the_o church_n be_v lose_v too_o 2_o nor_o do_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n consist_v in_o join_v together_o in_o the_o external_a and_o visible_a act_n of_o worship_n or_o in_o maintain_v mutual_a intercourse_n and_o correspondence_n with_o each_o other_o these_o be_v duty_n which_o result_n from_o church-unity_n when_o they_o be_v practicable_a as_o i_o shall_v show_v more_o hereafter_o but_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n can_v consist_v in_o they_o for_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n be_v one_o without_o they_o and_o so_o may_v distant_a church_n on_o earth_n be_v one_o church_n without_o any_o such_o visible_a correspondence_n 3_o nor_o can_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n consist_v in_o such_o article_n of_o faith_n as_o have_v not_o always_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o since_o the_o whole_a church_n in_o all_o age_n be_v but_o one_o it_o can_v have_v but_o one_o faith_n and_o that_o can_v be_v the_o one_o faith_n which_o have_v not_o be_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o talk_v of_o such_o a_o power_n in_o the_o church_n of_o every_o age_n as_o to_o make_v or_o declare_v new_a article_n of_o faith_n unless_o there_o be_v authority_n to_o make_v a_o new_a church_n too_o in_o every_o age_n but_o then_o how_o the_o church_n shall_v change_v its_o faith_n in_o every_o age_n and_o yet_o continue_v one_o and_o the_o same_o church_n be_v worth_a inquiry_n as_o far_o as_o any_o church_n have_v alter_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o primitive_a christian_n it_o be_v become_v a_o new_a church_n and_o a_o new_a church_n i_o think_v be_v not_o the_o same_o with_o the_o old_a the_o unity_n of_o the_o present_a church_n consider_v as_o a_o church_n do_v not_o consist_v only_o in_o its_o unity_n with_o itself_o but_o with_o the_o church_n also_o of_o former_a age_n for_o unless_o it_o be_v one_o with_o the_o apostolic_a church_n it_o can_v be_v the_o one_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o therefore_o tho'_o all_o the_o christian_a world_n shall_v at_o this_o day_n unite_v in_o the_o faith_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n it_o will_v be_v as_o much_o divide_v from_o the_o one_o church_n of_o christ_n as_o it_o differ_v from_o the_o faith_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n i_o shall_v only_o observe_v here_o by_o the_o way_n what_o a_o contradiction_n the_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o the_o virgin_n mary_n be_v to_o the_o belief_n of_o one_o church_n for_o if_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n and_o in_o earth_n be_v but_o one_o church_n than_o the_o most_o glorious_a saint_n in_o heaven_n not_o except_v the_o bless_a virgin_n herself_o be_v but_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n with_o we_o which_o make_v it_o as_o absurd_a to_o worship_v they_o in_o heaven_n as_o it_o be_v for_o one_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n on_o earth_n to_o worship_n another_o for_o they_o be_v the_o same_o body_n still_o and_o tho'_o there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n in_o honour_n between_o the_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n yet_o that_o relation_n that_o be_v between_o they_o will_v not_o admit_v of_o the_o worship_n of_o any_o member_n for_o it_o be_v no_o act_n of_o communion_n in_o the_o same_o body_n for_o one_o member_n to_o worship_n another_o to_o pay_v divine_a honour_n to_o erect_v temple_n and_o altar_n to_o the_o great_a saint_n advance_v they_o above_o the_o degree_n of_o fellow-member_n and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o fellow-member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n than_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n and_o in_o earth_n be_v not_o one_o church_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v learn_v who_o they_o be_v who_o divide_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n they_o who_o command_v the_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o the_o virgin_n or_o those_o who_o refuse_v it_o we_o believe_v the_o church_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n to_o be_v the_o one_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o the_o most_o glorious_a saint_n be_v but_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n with_o we_o and_o therefore_o not_o the_o object_n of_o our_o worship_n but_o of_o our_o brotherly_a love_n and_o honour_n but_o those_o who_o worship_n saint_n destroy_v the_o unity_n of_o christ_n body_n by_o divide_v the_o church_n on_o earth_n and_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n for_o nothing_o be_v more_o contrary_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o mankind_n than_o to_o worship_n those_o of_o our_o own_o communion_n and_o therefore_o the_o natural_a interpretation_n of_o that_o worship_n they_o pay_v to_o saint_n be_v that_o they_o be_v not_o member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n with_o we_o but_o be_v as_o much_o above_o we_o as_o the_o object_n of_o our_o worship_n be_v and_o aught_o to_o be_v 2_o this_o notion_n of_o church-unity_n that_o it_o must_v include_v the_o whole_a church_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n as_o well_o that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o be_v already_o transplant_v into_o heaven_n as_o that_o which_o still_o sojourn_v on_o earth_n which_o be_v all_o but_o one_o body_n may_v direct_v we_o wherein_o to_o place_v this_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n which_o to_o be_v sure_o can_v consist_v in_o nothing_o but_o what_o belong_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n any_o notion_n of_o unity_n which_o do_v
the_o suffering_n of_o his_o natural_a body_n extend_v no_o far_o than_o his_o mystical_a body_n and_o therefore_o christ_n be_v say_v to_o have_v reconcile_v both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n to_o god_n in_o one_o body_n by_o the_o cross_n 2._o ephes._n 16._o that_o be_v he_o have_v reconcile_v all_o both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n who_o by_o faith_n and_o baptism_n be_v unite_v in_o his_o one_o mystical_a body_n to_o god_n by_o his_o suffering_n on_o the_o cross._n so_o that_o we_o be_v not_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o purchase_n of_o his_o blood_n till_o we_o be_v unite_v to_o he_o by_o covenant_n this_o we_o may_v learn_v from_o that_o analogy_n there_o be_v between_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n the_o legal_a sacrifice_n especial_o that_o great_a sacrifice_n on_o the_o day_n of_o expiation_n be_v typical_o of_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o carnal_a israel_n be_v a_o type_n of_o the_o spiritual_a israel_n or_o of_o the_o christian_a church_n now_o as_o the_o virtue_n and_o expiation_n of_o legal_a sacrifice_n be_v applicable_a only_o to_o the_o carnal_a israel_n so_o the_o expiation_n of_o christ_n death_n extend_v only_o to_o the_o spiritual_a israel_n the_o christian_a church_n which_o be_v christ_n mystical_a body_n which_o one_o thing_n if_o well_o consider_v will_v answer_v all_o the_o difficulty_n and_o silence_v those_o fierce_a dispute_n about_o universal_a redemption_n however_o this_o show_n what_o difference_n there_o be_v between_o bad_a christian_n and_o the_o world_n of_o infidel_n the_o first_o be_v visible_o in_o covenant_n with_o christ_n and_o be_v the_o purchase_n of_o his_o blood_n and_o have_v a_o covenant-right_a to_o the_o redemption_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o be_v member_n of_o his_o mystical_a body_n for_o none_o else_o have_v any_o right_n to_o his_o sacrifice_n the_o other_o have_v no_o interest_n in_o he_o nor_o relation_n to_o he_o and_o if_o we_o will_v not_o allow_v of_o this_o i_o desire_v to_o know_v who_o those_o child_n of_o the_o kingdom_n be_v that_o at_o the_o last_o day_n shall_v be_v shut_v out_o but_o be_v not_o our_o mystical_a union_n to_o christ_n then_o a_o union_n of_o spirit_n a_o participation_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o life_n have_v his_o spirit_n dwell_v in_o we_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n and_o walk_v in_o the_o spirit_n i_o answer_v this_o be_v our_o spiritual_a union_n to_o christ_n this_o be_v to_o live_v in_o he_o to_o be_v quicken_v by_o he_o but_o it_o be_v not_o our_o mystical_a union_n as_o that_o signify_v such_o a_o union_n as_o make_v we_o member_n of_o his_o mystical_a body_n for_o that_o in_o a_o strict_a proper_a sense_n be_v only_o a_o covenant-relation_n every_o member_n of_o christ_n mystical_a body_n ought_v to_o partake_v of_o his_o life_n and_o spirit_n or_o else_o they_o be_v only_o dead_a and_o rot_a member_n which_o shall_v be_v cut_v off_o and_o shall_v never_o inherit_v eternal_a life_n but_o such_o dead_a member_n be_v member_n still_o till_o they_o be_v cut_v off_o either_o by_o church_n censure_n in_o this_o world_n or_o by_o the_o sentence_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o next_o this_o participation_n of_o the_o life_n and_o spirit_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o our_o mystical_a union_n to_o christ_n but_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o we_o can_v receive_v the_o influence_n of_o life_n and_o grace_n from_o christ_n till_o we_o be_v unite_v to_o he_o and_o make_v the_o member_n of_o his_o body_n for_o his_o spirit_n only_o quicken_v and_o animate_v his_o own_o body_n and_o we_o be_v unite_v to_o his_o body_n by_o covenant_n and_o by_o the_o sacrament_n of_o it_o which_o convey_v this_o divine_a life_n and_o spirit_n to_o we_o and_o therefore_o baptism_n be_v our_o regeneration_n or_o new_a birth_n the_o beginning_n of_o a_o new_a life_n because_o it_o incorporate_v we_o into_o christ_n mystical_a body_n which_o put_v we_o under_o the_o influence_n and_o communication_n of_o his_o life_n and_o spirit_n as_o when_o a_o branch_n be_v engraft_v into_o a_o stock_n it_o receive_v nourishment_n and_o life_n from_o it_o so_o that_o these_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a influence_n be_v consequent_a upon_o our_o union_n to_o christ_n and_o though_o all_o who_o be_v unite_v to_o christ_n have_v these_o influence_n of_o grace_n as_o the_o root_n natural_o communicate_v its_o sap_n and_o juice_n to_o all_o its_o branch_n yet_o all_o do_v not_o improve_v it_o do_v not_o digest_v it_o into_o principle_n of_o life_n and_o action_n do_v not_o bring_v forth_o fruit_n worthy_a of_o it_o like_o dead_a and_o wither_a branch_n who_o can_v receive_v the_o sap_n and_o nourishment_n which_o ascend_v from_o the_o root_n and_o will_v quicken_v they_o be_v not_o its_o entrance_n stop_v and_o hinder_v but_o notwithstanding_o this_o they_o be_v member_n and_o branch_n still_o though_o dead_a and_o fruitless_a there_o be_v no_o account_n indeed_o have_v of_o they_o christ_n know_v they_o not_o and_o do_v not_o reckon_v they_o as_o he_o and_o therefore_o the_o description_n and_o character_n of_o the_o church_n in_o scripture_n be_v such_o as_o belong_v only_o to_o live_a member_n to_o those_o who_o be_v renew_v and_o sanctify_a and_o quicken_v by_o the_o divine_a spirit_n but_o yet_o they_o do_v belong_v to_o christ_n mystical_a body_n though_o they_o be_v in_o it_o only_o as_o a_o dead_a branch_n be_v in_o the_o vine_n but_o how_o can_v the_o church_n on_o earth_n and_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n be_v one_o church_n and_o one_o body_n if_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n have_v such_o corrupt_a and_o rot_a member_n in_o it_o for_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n have_v none_o but_o live_v and_o holy_a member_n i_o answer_v the_o same_o covenant_n make_v they_o the_o same_o church_n and_o the_o same_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o there_o be_v bad_a man_n in_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n and_o none_o but_o saint_n in_o heaven_n do_v not_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v two_o church_n but_o that_o they_o be_v in_o two_o very_a different_a state_n of_o right_n none_o but_o sincere_a believer_n and_o true_o pious_a man_n aught_o to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n as_o well_o as_o in_o heaven_n but_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n the_o receive_n in_o and_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n be_v entrust_v with_o man_n who_o can_v see_v the_o heart_n or_o who_o be_v not_o careful_a in_o the_o exercise_n of_o discipline_n to_o preserve_v the_o purity_n of_o the_o church_n secret_a hypocrite_n may_v be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n and_o those_o who_o be_v open_o profane_a may_v not_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o it_o but_o in_o the_o other_o world_n christ_n make_v the_o distinction_n and_o separate_v the_o chaff_n from_o the_o wheat_n and_o therefore_o the_o church_n in_o heaven_n can_v consist_v only_o of_o good_a man_n because_o bad_a man_n can_v find_v no_o admission_n there_o and_o beside_o this_o it_o be_v agreeable_a enough_o to_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n and_o indeed_o can_v well_o be_v otherwise_o that_o good_a and_o bad_a man_n shall_v be_v intermix_v in_o it_o because_o it_o be_v a_o state_n of_o trial_n and_o discipline_n of_o growth_n and_o improvement_n though_o bad_a man_n as_o that_o signify_v hypocrite_n and_o unbeliever_n if_o they_o be_v know_v ought_v not_o to_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n yet_o if_o they_o be_v by_o the_o influence_n of_o grace_n and_o the_o instruction_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o example_n and_o conversation_n of_o good_a man_n and_o the_o prudent_a exercise_n of_o discipline_n they_o may_v be_v reclaim_v to_o virtue_n and_o become_v live_a member_n of_o christ_n body_n those_o who_o be_v dead_a before_o may_v recover_v a_o new_a life_n by_o be_v engrat_v into_o this_o heavenly_a vine_n nay_o indeed_o though_o all_o man_n be_v not_o equal_o wicked_a yet_o no_o man_n have_v this_o divine_a life_n but_o only_o from_o christ_n and_o the_o communication_n of_o his_o grace_n which_o he_o can_v receive_v from_o christ_n till_o he_o be_v unite_v to_o he_o and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n require_v no_o other_o qualification_n for_o baptism_n but_o only_a faith_n the_o very_o worst_a of_o man_n who_o believe_v in_o christ_n and_o profess_a obedience_n to_o he_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n by_o baptism_n and_o put_v under_o the_o influence_n of_o grace_n without_o expect_v till_o they_o have_v first_o reform_v their_o life_n which_o beside_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o apostle_n seem_v to_o i_o much_o more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o gospel-dispensation_n than_o that_o discipline_n which_o be_v afterward_o use_v in_o the_o church_n when_o they_o do_v not_o immediate_o baptize_v those_o who_o profess_v to_o believe_v in_o christ_n